A great tour guide is worth their weight in gold. They’re passionate about the company they work for, genuinely excited to share their knowledge of your destination and truly care about your guests’ experiences.
Their punctuality and ability to stick to a schedule shows they’ll be reliable for your guests. And their flexibility is essential when it comes to handling the unexpected and responding to customer questions en route.
1. They are knowledgeable
A good tour guide should be well informed about the destinations they are taking guests around. The best ones have extensive local knowledge and are passionate about what they do. They also have a knack for learning interesting facts about landmarks and activities quickly so they can impress their guests.
Often times, tour guides will need to handle unexpected situations that they may not be able to call up their managers or fellow guides for advice on. For example, they might need to be able to handle a medical emergency, deal with dissatisfied customers or even address issues between guests.
This means they should be able to think on their feet and make decisions independently so they can maintain the trust of their guests. It’s a challenging role, especially if you’re working on multiday excursions.
2. They are friendly
Whether it’s getting guests from their hotel to the Bali tour start point without missing the bus or guiding them through the maze of streets in an old town, a tour guide is there for you when you need help. This is why tour guides need to be empathetic and sensitive when dealing with guests who may come from different cultural backgrounds, social norms or beliefs.
In addition, tour guides should be punctual as they don’t want to keep the group waiting. They also need to be open to feedback from guests, ensuring they address concerns and provide the best experience for every customer.
When interviewing tour guides, make sure they can tell you what they love about the job. It’s hard to fake genuine enthusiasm! Also, ask them to take you on a sample tour of the areas they will be working in. This will give you a great idea of how they will perform on their own.
3. They are flexible
A good tour guide will prioritise understanding their travellers. By distributing a survey after booking and asking about their interests, they will know what to include in their itinerary, how to tailor the experience and offer a more personalised connection. Tour guides also set the right example when it comes to promoting ethical travel. For instance, by explaining why certain (captive) animal travel experiences are a no-go and highlighting animal-friendly alternatives.
Being a tour guide isn’t for the faint-hearted, especially during busy times of the year. However, the best tour guides are committed to their job and are invested in the success of their travellers’ experiences. This means that they will do their best to take care of their guests and go the extra mile when needed. They will also be able to spot potential problems before they arise and be prepared to handle them. Ultimately, this will result in satisfied customers who would be willing to book a trip with that particular company again in the future.
4. They save you time
When you take a tour guided by someone who loves the job, it shows. A great guide is invested in the success of the trip, especially if it’s an adventure trip with a goal in mind. They want to see you reach your goals and push beyond what you thought possible. And they are happy to celebrate that victory with you!
Summary:
A good tour guide can also think on their feet when things don’t go as planned. Whether a sight is closed for renovations, overcrowded or the weather’s not cooperating, they can quickly find alternatives to make the tour still meaningful for their guests. This requires the ability to roll with the punches and keep the trip moving forward, which is why it’s important for new hires to shadow their seasoned teammates during their first few tours. This will help them develop their own technique, learn from others’ mistakes and practice problem-solving skills. During this time, they can also observe how their colleagues interact with the group and how well they manage the trip.